Pneumatic connector with encoding

Abstract

A connector for connecting segments of one or more pneumatic tubes including a first member, a second member and a sealing element. The first member and second member are configured to interconnect with each other with the sealing element therebetween. The first member and second member each include at least one cooperating nipple which is insertable into a corresponding port formed through the sealing element. An airtight interference fit is formed between each port and the associated parts of the nipples inserted therein. The connector may also include a mechanism which identifies a type of sensor attached to one of the members to a monitor or other host device attached to the other member. Preferably, the connector also includes an alignment mechanism to ensure proper polarity of pluralities of tube segments associated with each of the first and second members. The connector may also include a keying structure for ensuring that only compatible devices are coupled thereby.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A medical diagnostic system, comprising; a coupling structure including at least two interconnectable members:   a sensor for obtaining one or more physical characteristic samples from a patient, said sensor connected to a first member of said at least two interconnectable members;   a monitor for receiving said one or more physical characteristic samples, said monitor connected to a second member of said at least two interconnectable members; and   an identification system for identifying a type of said sensor connected to said monitor, said identification system including an optically readable indicator element associated with said first member and an optical detector associated with said monitor for reading said optically readable indicator element.   
     
     
       2. The medical diagnostic system according to claim 1, and further comprising a first keying arrangement formed on a first member and a second, complementary keying arrangement formed on a second member, the first and second keying arrangements being configured with mating structural features so as to permit engagement thereof upon interconnection of said first member and said second member only if said first member and said second member are compatible for use together. 
     
     
       3. The medical diagnostic system according to claim 1, wherein said coupling structure includes a sealing element configured to be disposed between said first member and said second member upon interconnection thereof. 
     
     
       4. The medical diagnostic system according to claim 3, wherein said first member includes a first nipple;   wherein said second member includes a second nipple; and   wherein said sealing element includes a receptacle formed therethrough, said receptacle being configured to receive said first nipple and said second nipple and to create an airtight seal around both of said first nipple and said second nipple and provide a passage therebetween upon interconnection of said first member and said second member.   
     
     
       5. A respiratory profile evaluation system, comprising: a sensor for sampling at least one respiratory characteristic of a patient;   a monitor for receiving said at least one respiratory characteristic;   a coupling structure for operatively interconnecting said sensor and said monitor; and   an identification structure for optically ascertaining a type of said sensor to said monitor.   
     
     
       6. The respiratory profile evaluation system of claim 5, further comprising calibrating data for adjusting said data representative of said at least one respiratory characteristic in accordance with said type of said sensor ascertained to said monitor. 
     
     
       7. The medical diagnostic system of claim 1, wherein said optical detector comprises at least one optical sensor. 
     
     
       8. The medical diagnostic system of claim 7, wherein said at least one optical sensor comprises a reflective optical encoder. 
     
     
       9. The medical diagnostic system of claim 7, wherein said at least one optical sensor generates an electrical signal based on a corresponding area of said encoding system. 
     
     
       10. The medical diagnostic system of claim 1, wherein said optical detector comprises a plurality of optical sensors. 
     
     
       11. The medical diagnostic system of claim 1, wherein said indicator element comprises a solid region or a notch through said coupling structure detectable by said optical detector. 
     
     
       12. The medical diagnostic system of claim 10, wherein said indicator element comprises a series of notches in said first member, a series of solid regions of said first member, or a series of a combination of notches and solid regions said first member indicative of a type of said sensor attached thereto. 
     
     
       13. The respiratory profile evaluation system of claim 5, wherein said identification structure comprises: an indicator element located on an edge of a first member of said coupling structure; and   an identification mechanism associated with a second member of said coupling structure in a location corresponding to said edge upon interconnection of said first member and said second member.   
     
     
       14. The respiratory profile evaluation system of claim 13, wherein said identification mechanism comprises at least one optical sensor. 
     
     
       15. The respiratory profile evaluation system of claim 13, wherein said at least one optical sensor comprises a reflective optical encoder. 
     
     
       16. The respiratory profile evaluation system of claim 13, wherein said at least one optical sensor generates an electrical signal based on a corresponding portion of said encoding system. 
     
     
       17. The respiratory profile evaluation system of claim 13, wherein said identification mechanism comprises a plurality of optical sensors. 
     
     
       18. The respiratory profile evaluation system of claim 13, wherein said indicator element comprises a solid region or a notch through said coupling structure detectable by said identification mechanism. 
     
     
       19. The respiratory profile evaluation system of claim 17, wherein said indicator element comprises a series of notches in said coupling structure, a series of solid regions of said coupling structure, or a series of a combination of notches and solid regions indicative of a type of said sensor. 
     
     
       20. The respiratory profile evaluation system of claim 19, wherein light reflected from said solid regions differs from light reflected from a structure exposed through said notches.